Dave Bautista stars in second 'Blade Runner 2049' prequel short

Sept. 15 (UPI) -- Dave Bautista is a replicant trying to do the right thing in a new Blade Runner 2049 prequel short that helps connect the upcoming sequel to the original film.

The clip, released Thursday through iTunes trailers, is the second of three planned shorts that will fill in the gaps between 2019, when the first Blade Runner takes place, and 2049, when the new story takes place.

Directed by Luke Scott, the son of Ridley Scott -- who directed the original and is producing the sequel -- the video features Bautista as Sapper, a replicant who delivers a favorite book of his to a young friend on the neon-soaked streets of Los Angeles.

Titled 2048: Nowhere to Run, Bautista is then seen getting into a deadly fight with a group of guys who begin to harass his friend and her mother. The former WWE star seemingly displays to the onlooking crowd that he is a replicant due to how he was able to easily defeat the men without feeling any pain. A bystander then informs authorities on the phone that he has spotted a replicant as Bautista flees the scene.

The first prequel short released in August, featured Jared Leto as replicant inventor Niander Wallace, who pleaded with government officials to end a replicant prohibition.

Blade Runner 2049, starring Bautista, Leto, Ryan Gosling and a returning Harrison Ford, is set to arrive in theaters on Oct. 6.

The sci-fi sequel, directed by Denis Villeneuve, is tracking to earn at least $40 million at the box office during its opening weekend according to early estimates, Variety reported.